Humidifying apparatus



J. A. HESTER, SR

HUMIDIFYING APPARATUS Jan. 9, 1945.

Filed July 24, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet l R m3 TR NE t 5 WE A |l...

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Jan. 9, I A. ESTER, 5 7

HUMIDIFYING APPARATUS Filed July 24, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Jan.9, 1945 UNITED STATES OFFICE HUMIDIFYING APPARATUS;

James Amos Hester, Sr., Wind 'sor, Ontario,

Canada Application July 24, 1942, Serial No. 452,231 11 claims. (c1. 261-107) This inventionrelates to humidifyin-g apparatus.

It has; previously been proposed to provide "humidifying apparatusemploying a relatively l forming an integral part thereof or by means ofa permanent pipe fitting projecting from the end of the receptacle andhaving a funnel-like bracket carried thereby for the purpose of.receiving the container. paratus as a whole rather unwieldy and somewhatcomplicated to make. It has presented difficulties in packaging andshipping. Moreover, inthe case of inserting such constructions in aradiator, where the radiator is in a confined space, it is notpossilolevtoselect the manner. in which it may be introduced to the latter and inmany cases. it can only be inserted, in the one way, notwithstandingthat it might be particularly desirable to locate the Water feedingcontainer in the confinedspace at the opposite end of the radiator whereit is, less conspicuous.

Further disadvantages ofthis type of apparatus which have been prevalentare the manner in which the water absorbing element hasbeen mountedsince a complicated form of framework has previously been'employed whichpresents disadvantages from thefpoint of view of manufacture, as well asthe employment of additional material which is not necessary. Finally,the type of water absorbing element employed'has not beenas efiicientparticularly from the point of View of its water absorbing capacity, itscapability of presenting a maximum moist surface to the circulating airin proportion to the sizeof the receptacle and also fromthe point ofView of l length of life.

An object of the present invention is to produce a humidifying apparatusof the general type in question which will avoid the disadvantages ofthe prior art and provide an apparatus which is extremely simple inconstruction, compact in form andconvenient to use.

. A .turther object of the: invention .i'sfltozsprovide ahumidifyingapparatus employing a: waterabsorbingelement which is more efficient,has a greater water absorbing capacity, longer life and may present tothe atmosphere a larger moist surface in proportion to the size of thewater receptacle than has been proposed heretofore.

A- further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of thiskind which is economical to manufacture;

A; further object of the an apparatus which may be manipulated readilyand which can bedmounted in a radiator so as to dispose thewater.feedingcontainertin a con fined space Where one. end of. theradiator is positionedclosely adjacent to a1 Wall or other projection. l

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus ofthistypenwherein the water absorbing element is mounted in aparticularlysim- This has made the apy systems.

With these and other objects in view the 111-,

ple and. eincient manner.

l A stillfurther object of the invention is: to provide a constructionwherein the container is so :formed as to removably connect with thewater receptacle inaconvenient manner avoiding the necessity ofemployingany fixtures for this ceptacle and/or water absorbing element whichmaybe employed generally to advantage, with various types of heating,and: air. conditioning vention generally comprises humidifyingapparatusincluding elongated Op n topped receptacle for water, a water absorbingelement mounted therein. and projecting thereabove, and a water feedingunit for the receptacle including a container having amountingprojection thereon designed removably to fit into the receptacle throughits open top. to mount the container firmly, and a water outlet from.the container en'- tering the receptacle to supply the latter.Preferably the water absorbing element is mounted by means of aplurality of standards fittingsnug- 1y intotthe container throughitsopentop and supporting'a suspension device designed to: carry theabsorbing element and the standards are so formed asto permit flow oftheWater from one end of the receptacle to the other. i

The: water absorbing elementpreferably in cludes a plurality oflayersof. fibrous material fastenedtogether: to formaunit and in sucha manneras to induce; by capillary attractionland increase-why capillary actiondue to special "coninvention is to provide struction, absorption of thewater to a substantial degree throughout the extent of said element.

These features and other features of the invention will be clearlyunderstood by reference to the following detailed specification taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings: a Fig. 1 is a perspective view of humidifyingapparatusaccording to the present invention showing such apparatus mounted withinthe parts of a hot water radiator, the latter being broken away toillustrate the apparatus more clearly.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of a preferred form ofmounting device on the container associated with the water receptacleand illustrating the manner in which it fits into the receptacle.

Fig. 3 is a transverse section taken substantially along the line 33 ofFig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a transverse section taken through the water absorbing elementof the receptacle to show the manner in Which these parts of theapparatus are co-related.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view through an alternative form ofwater absorbing element.

Figs. 5, 6 and '7 are transverse sections taken through the waterreceptacle adjacent the point where the standards are fitted therewithinand showing alternative manners in which water passages may be providedto by-pass the standards andpermit flow of water from one end of thereceptacle to the other.

Figs. 8 and 9 illustrate alternative manners in which the apparatus maybe mounted in conjunction with a radiator of a hot water heating Fig. 13is a partly sectional detail view showing an alternative form of waterabsorbing element which is generally corrugated.

Fig. 14 is a similar view to Fig. 13 showing an alternative form whichis of general orimpedformation.

Fig. 151s a sectional View of an alternative form of element whichemploys a plurality of separate pieces in parallel spaced relationsuspended into the receptacle.

Fig. 16 is a view similar to Fig, 15 wherein the pieces are disposed atan incline to the suspending rod 50 as to provide for pieces of greaterarea than in the case of Fig. 15; and

v Fig. 17 is a similar view to Fig. 13 showing a further alternativeform of absorbing element.

Referring to the drawings A indicates a complete humidifying unitaccording to the proposed invention which in the case of Fig. 1 is shownin one manner in which it may be mounted, within the confines of aradiator B of a hot water or steam heating system. The unitis made up ofa water receptacle or trough in which is generally elongated incharacter and of a maximum width dictated by the size of the space inwhich it is mounted and formed with an-open top Ii. The receptacle isdesigned to have introduced thereto through the open top ii an absorbingelement or elements l2 which are designed to dip into the water carriedin the receptacle. These elements are designed to project above thereceptacle to a maximum degree consistent with their capacities of waterabsorption and space limits. The preferred type of element will bedescribed in detail hereinafter, it being suflicient to say at thispoint that a multi-plyelement is preferred.

. The element i2 is supported from the receptacle by means of aplurality of standards l3, l4 and I5 which may be made from any suitablematerial but preferably from wood and of a cross section snugly to fitthe cross sectional width of the receptacle. Thus, the posts are readilyheld in upright position through their contact with the walls of thereceptacle.

or the like i6 which may be threaded through orifices in the standardsin effect to provide a suspension frame. The element or elements l2 arepreferably provided with a channel therethrough indicatedat ll, where amulti-ply element is employed, or otherwise may be provided with a meansof engaging the rod 16 so that the element is suspended from a pointabove the receptacle to hang down thereinto.

In order to permit flow of the water from one end of the receptacle tothe other the standards i3, M and i5 may be recessed to provide a water.

passage or passages. This may be accomplished in various ways some ofwhich are clearly illustrated in Figs. 5 to 7. In Fig. 5 a slot I8 isformed in the lower end of the standards to form a water passageway. InFig 6 notches l9 in the sides of the standard are illustrated to formwater passageways. On the other hand, a series of orifices 20 isillustrated in Fig. 7 to form passageways.

The length of the water absorbing element employed is slightly shorterthan the length of the receptacle, the latter being constructed so as toaccommodate as long a water absorbing element as may be required to fitthe length of a given radiator 01 holder and extending beyond suchelement to form a water feeding pocket 2| designed to receive mountingmeans for a water feed container C. In this connection the water feedcontainer C is. provided with a downwardly depending projection suchthat it may be inserted in the pocket 21 at th end of the receptacle tomount the container firmly but in a readily detachable manner, whichconstruction eliminates entirely the necessity of projecting andpermanently attached fixtures and the like. a A preferred type ofstructure embodies a removable cap 22 on the water feeding container Cwhich is normally in airtight and watertight engagement wtih thecontainer and from which projects a mounting and water feeding casing 23(see Figs. 1 and 2). The casing 23 is normally closed by a series ofwalls which make up the casing and of a general'cross sectioncorresponding to that of the water-receptacle HI so that it may beinserted in the pocket portion 2i thereof and have a neat sliding fittherein such that the casing 23 on' the one hand forms a mounting memberwhich will firmly supportthe container in position with the closure 22or bottom of the container resting upon the upper edges of thereceptacle.

The casing 23 is in communication with the interior of the water feedingcontainer 0 by means of a slot 24 or the like in the closure 22, whichcommunicates only with the open top of a Two or more standards areemployed and they are designed to carry a rod the casing 23. In thiscasingawater outlet 25 is positioned, it being located at a point in onewallthereof such as to control the level of. the

water in the receptacle l when the casing 231 is inserted inthepocketZlof such receptacle. Th size of the opening 25 is chosenso that onfilled and inverted and if carried carefully will not discharge waterthrough the. orifice 25 by reason of surface tension. On the other hand,the size of the orifice can be such that the user may place a fingerover the orifice afteruthe container C is filled and thuscarrythecontainer carried on oneside or both sides of the radiator.

B. In-Fig. 8, a suitably perforatedfacing 28:.is

provided. which may take the form of a decorative radiatorcover formedwith depending side aprons the one hand, if desired, the receptaclemaybe from the source of water supply to the receptacle and insert it inthe latter without spilling water inadvertently. A third reason forchoice of size of the opening resides in the .fact that the opening maybe used for fillingthe container with outmaking it necessary that theclosure 22 be removed for this purpose.

. From the foregoing broad outline of thefunit it willfireadily beapparent that a simple type of unit is provided, theparts of whichallfit together without the necessity of providin elaborate fixtures andthe parts ofwhich can -bereplacedindividually at comparatively low cost.

On the] other hand, a simple but substantially durable construction isprovide-dvwherein water constantly fed to the receptacle llljby thefeeding container C is absorbed bythe absorbing element and drawnupwardly therethrough for efficient i 29 terminating in hook-likeportionstllinto which the receptacles may be projected, or the hook-likeflanges may be formed as receptaclesthemselves. Alternatively, ofcourse, a unit embodying a plurality of receptacles suchas 3 l1 maybepros Vided (see Fig. 10) in place of singleunits; where it is desired toemploy the unit with a particular type of radiator. Theplurality ofreceptacles 31 in this instance might be connected by. common header orthe like 32 into which the casing 23 or.

otherprojection carried on the container Omight be inserted so that thecontainerthrough the header 32 would feed the plurality of receptacles.

In place of a casing such as any suitable projection might be employedso as to fee-d re ceptacle ,ill and firmly mount the container Cthereon. One alternative manner of mounting the container C might takethe form illustrated in Fig. 11. In this construction a U-shapedstraplike member 33 is provided which may be orificed i as at 34,notched or otherwise formed so as to.

communicate with the body of the receptacle and the closure 22 might beformed with a suitable spout 35 for passing the water. from thecontainer contact with air currents, such as toimpart a substantialvolume of moisture to th surrounding air. Moreover, the unit describedis such that it may be convenientlymounted in conjunction use takes theform of a laminated sheet-like body with a radiator of a hot water orsteam heating system in several ways, although the invention is alsoapplicable to other types of heating and air conditioning systems aswillappear hereinafter.

On the one hand, it maybe inserted betweenthe coils of the radiator sothat the water feeding container C may be mounted at the end of theradiator and canbe conveniently removed and reinserted as required.Alternately, of course,

the receptacle may be made long enough toproa ject atboth ends of theradiator and if desire-da second feeding container C may be'mounted atthe opposite end so as to increase the water feeding capacity of theunit. Moreover if the radiator were positioned along one wall of a roomso that one end of the radiator was positioned substantially close to asecond wall of the room joining the first one and forming a confinedspace between the second wall and the end of the radiator wherein itwould be" preferable to dispose the water container for thereceptacle,

it is only a matter of projecting the water receptacle through theradiator from its opposite end until part of the receptacle projectsinto the confined space whereupon the container may be introduced to theprojecting end. In other words, it is a simple matter to locatethe'container at either end of the radiator as desired as illustrated,for instance, in dotted lines in Fig. 1, where it will be seen that ifthe container C is removed and the receptacle is pushed so as to projectits opposite end from the other end of the radiator as shown in dottedlines, the receptacle may readily be mounted from the opposite endwithout removing the receptacle from the radiator.

Theunitmay be mountedin other ways where i this is desired, two of whichare illustrated in Figs. 8 and9. As in Fig. 9, hangersZG maybeprovided'and connected with a hook-like member or members?! suchthatthereceptac-le l'0- maybe to the receptacle. In this instance, thelength of the spout 35 would control the height of the water withinthereceptacle. i

The element or elements [2 which I prefer to,

illustrated particularly in Fig. 4 made up of a plurality of pliesincluding the outerplies Stand 31 and one or more inner plies 38. Thematerial may vary as between the different plies if this is founddesirable in order to achieve predetermined results. Moreover, theelement may take the form shown. in Fig. 4 embodying outer plies ofmaterial 3t and tl with an inner filling of loose fibrous or othermaterial indicated at 38 capable, of substantial water absorption.

The plies are secured together such as [by rows of stitching indicatedat 39 (see Fig. 1) which rows are preferably vertically disposed or inother words in the direction of flow of the liquid absorbed by the.element. On the other hand, the stitching ma be arranged horizontally asindicated at all in Fig. 12 while, if desired the plies might be heldtogether by stitching directed in any desired pattern or arrangement andmight be held together by stitching both vertically and horizontally inthe manner of quilting. Likewise the plies may be secured together bycontinuous stitching starting at the center of the element and extendinggradually outward to cover the greater adhesive were used for thepurpose.

By laminating the element I am able to maintain an efficient element fora long period of time.

since in the case of an element made from a single ply of material as isalso the case to some. extent in one made'from two plies of material th.

outer surface and fibres of the element becomes clogged with lime saltsfrom hard water, dust particles and other non-vaporizingvmaterial and?in a short time the water absorbing and trans mitting qualities of thewater absorbing elements are impaired to such a degree that efficientaction is impossible. On the other hand, the inner plies of the materialwill continue to function and cause the outer plies to be permeated inan efficient manner notwithstanding the coating and impregnation of theouter plies with a quantit of lime salts or the like.

Th preferred element is made from'blottin paper laminated as described.I have found that such a material has the characteristic of a highdegree of absorption and induces capillary action to raise the liquidfrom the surface of the water to a greater height than most materials ofsimilar nature. The number of plies, the thickness thereof, quality,etc., of course, may be varied having regard to such variables as cost,efiiciency and the percentage in the water of insoluble material.

The laminated element I have found is also desirable from anotherstandpoint as it provides definite aid to capillary action entirelyapart from the contact of the fibres throughout each layer. The spacebetween the layers of absorbent fibres functions to aid capillaryaction, thus materially increasing the efiiciency of the element.

, Thus, the element acts as a very eincient wick Which is disposed inintimate contact with the currents of air around the location of theunit and due to the fact also that the receptacle ii] is of a depth topermit preliminary preheating of the water, the unit will function veryefficiently to supply to the atmosphere a high percentage of moisture.It will be noted, of course, that the container located closely adjacentto the end of the radiator as shown in Fig. 1 will also provide forpreheating of the water.

The element in itself constitutes a salient feature of my invention andit is apparent, of course, that it may be employed not only inconjunction with hot water and steam heating radiators as describe-d butmay also be employed With a hot air system and in fact with airconditioning systems. In this instance, the efficiency from the point ofview of water absorption produced by this laminated element rendersit'very adaptable for general service of this kind.

Alternative forms of elements are illustrated in Figs, 13 to 17. In Fig.13 I have illustrated an element which takes a generally corrugated formhaving a series of corrugations indicated at M. This element ispreferably threaded upon the supporting rod I6 by merel forming itsupper end with a series of orifices and may be supported similarly atits base by a similar rod. This type of element produces increasedsurface capacity which can be used to advantage and particularly in thecase of small units for instancewhere an ordinary flat element would notgive sufficient capacity in the space available as to make it practicalfor such an installation, Thus, the capacity can be increased by thecorrugated ele ment without increasing the longitudinal space which ittakes up. A similar result might be achieved with the form ofconstruction illustrated in Fig. 14 which employs a similar principle.In

this construction the element is crimped as at 42.

An even greater surface capacity may be achieved by forming the elementas illustrated in Fig. 17. These elements may, of course, be employed assingle ply elements if this were desired but preferably are constructedas laminated elements.

I provide a laminated element such as has been described. It should benoted that it is not necessary that the laminations be relatively thinsheetlike bodies of blotting paper or the like. On the other hand, itwill be appreciated that the intermediate ply or plies of the laminatedelement might constitute a filling of material (similar to Fig, 4)having a desired degree of water absorbing characteristics, the fillingbeing disposed within the outer plies which might be secured aroundtheir marginal edges, as an alternative to bein secured, as may be thecase, at intervals throughout the extent of the area of theconstruction.

It should be noted also that the elements em-' ing so that smallerpieces of material that ordinarily might be considered waste could beefficiently secured together to form an element of a given length andheight.

Further alternative forms of element are shown in Figs. 15 and 16 inwhich case the element is made up of a plurality of pieces of material43 which may be multi-ply, preferably disposed in parallel relation to.one another and spaced apart longitudinally of the unit by suitablespacers. Such piecesmay be suspended from the support ing rod [6 todip'into the Water in they receptacle.

' The arrangement in Fig. 16 at an incline to the plane of the rodpermits a slightly wider piece to be used than in the case of Fig. 15and this.

presents a greater surface in the element. In both cases, of course, thepieces maybe similarly supported at their lower ends.

While I have illustrated my invention chiefly in conjunction with a unitor units which may be employed practicably in conjunction with radiatorsof hot water or steam heating systems, it is apparent that theprinciples of the invention may readily be applied to hot air systems.This may be done in various ways and, for instance, if

desired a multiple unit such as shown in Fig. 10 might be disposedWithin the hot air duct, or if desired other types of units andemploying ele-. ments such as illustrated in Figs. 13'to 17 might beemployed in such ducts if the capacity of a simple element were notgreat enough for the purpose. In other words, it is merely a matter ofthe capacity of the unit in relation to the size and space available inthe duct.

From the foregoing it will be clearly apparent that I have produced asimple, practical humidifying apparatus which will function with a highdegree of efficiency for the purpose intended and which at the same timemay be manufactured. at,

a comparatively low cost, particularly in view of the simpleconstruction of the component parts i of the apparatus and the apparatusand the rela-= tively wide choice of materials and relatively low costin each instance. Moreover, it will be clearly appreciated that thereare no complicated or projecting parts which would interfere Withthemounting of the device, its packing or its shipping whereas the unit maybe readily set up or knocked down quickly and simply while replacefromthe cover and of a width and depth snugly to fit slidably into theopen top of said receptacle to mount said container on and Wholly abovesaid receptacle, said cover being orificed for the pas to any part ofthe receptacle.

, top ofsaid receptacle.

sage of water therethrough from the container,

said mounting projection being recessed to estab- 1 .lish communicationbetween the orifice of the 1 cover and the receptacle upon which saidcontainer may be mounted.

2. In a humidifying apparatus employing a the element is formed fromapluralit of prel formed sheets of absorbent material with means Watercontaineridesigned to feed an open-topped water receptacle, a removablecover forsaid container orificed to permit egress of water therefrom andhaving a mounting projection extending at right angles to its normalplane and of a 3 width and depth snugly to fit slidably into the opentop ofsaid receptacle to mount the container on and wholly above saidreceptacle.

3. A humidifier comprising an open topped receptacle for water, anabsorbing elementmounti passing therethrough at spaced apart pointsthroughout the extent of said element to secure said sheets in intimatecontact, said securing ,means forming adjacent the upper edge of thesheet a longitudinal passage through which the 10 supporting rod isslotted.

8. A humidifier comprisin an open-topped symmetrical receptacle forwater, a water absorb- ,ing element mounted therein and projecting.thereabove, means 'for mounting said element,

and a removable waterfeeding unit for said receptacle including acontainer, a mounting projection thereon extending beyond the end of thecontainer and of a width and depth snugly to fit slidably into the opentop of said receptacle to mount the container, said container andattached mounting projection being bodily removable from mountedposition forfilling purposes and a water outlet from the containercommunicating with the receptacle to supply the latter with water.

4. A humidifier as claimed in claim 3 in which the standards are solidand recessed in that area normally submerged "to permit flow of thewater 9. A humidifier as claimed inclaim 8 in which the mountingprojection takes the form of a hollow casing shaped toconform with thecross section of the water receptacle and communicating i with theinterior of i the container, said casing 5; A humidifier as claimed inclaim 3 in which the standards include end standards at each end i ofthe receptacle and at least one intermediate standard are orificedadjacent theirupper ends and have a bar slotted through said orificesslid-.

ableto and from mountablepositiorl therein, and water absorbing elementssupported'by said bar between each adjacent pair of standards andsuspended into the open mouth of the receptacle.

6. A humidifier comprising an open topped receptacle for water,1afibrous water absorbin element mounted therein and projectingthereabove. a plurality of standards connected with said receptacle andprojecting thereabove, a suspension rod extending between saidstandards, said absorbing element having at least two plies ad jacentits upper edge secured together to form a longitudinal channel forreceptionof said rod to suspend the element therefrom and into the openbeing orificed toprovide a feeding outlet communicating with theinterior of the receptacle. i .10. A humidifier as claimed in claim 8 inwhich the mounting projection of the. water container] comprises acasing projecting from one end of the container andcommunicatingwith thelatter,

said casing being orificed in one wall at a predetermined point toestablish communication between the container andthe'receptacle whensaid containeris mounted on said receptacle, said predetermined pointcontrolling the height of the water in the receptacle.

11. A humidifier as claimed in claim 8 in which i a the mountingprojection takes the form of an angular strap-like member projectingfrom one end of the container,- the latter being formed with an outletspout projecting downwardly therefrominto the receptacle, saidstrap-likemember being orificed to provide communicationbetween said spout-likemember and the major portionof 50 said receptacle.

, JAMES AMOS HESTER, SR.

7. A humidifier as claimed in claim a m which i

